CHICAGO — Selecting the appropriate respirator for the specific hazards present in a restoration work environment is critical to worker health — and to OSHA compliance. Here is a guide to the major respirator types and when to use them in restoration work.
The most common respirator types used in restoration work are filtering facepiece respirators (N95, P100), half-face air-purifying respirators, full-face air-purifying respirators, and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs). The appropriate type depends on the hazards present and the concentration of contaminants.
N95 filtering facepiece respirators filter at least 95 percent of airborne particles and are appropriate for low-level mold exposure and general dust control. P100 filters provide higher filtration efficiency (at least 99.97 percent) and are required for asbestos work and high-level mold exposure.
Half-face air-purifying respirators with appropriate cartridges are required for chemical vapor hazards, including volatile organic compounds from cleaning products and fire-damaged materials. The cartridge type must match the specific chemical hazard — organic vapor cartridges for VOCs, acid gas cartridges for hydrogen sulfide, and combination cartridges for mixed hazards.
Full-face respirators provide eye protection in addition to respiratory protection and are required when the eyes may be exposed to chemical splashes or when the contaminant concentration is high enough to pose a risk of eye irritation. PAPRs provide the highest level of respiratory protection and are used for the most hazardous restoration environments, including heavy mold contamination and asbestos abatement.
